Trap

ABSTRACT

A trap for small noxious animals, such as mice, and comprising a holder (1) in form of a frame for holding a tightening element (3) in form of a shield. The trap (1) is arranged to be able to take a first, non-tightening position and at least a second, tightening position (12). The holder (1) shows a support (4) for a bait (20). The element (3), consisting of a sheet-metal, shows a setting-tongue (5) cut in the element (3), which tongue is arranged preloaded in the trap (1). In the said first position of the trap (1), the setting-tongue (5) is arranged at a distance from the support (4) and in the said second position (12) of the trap (1), an end portion (7) of the setting-tongue (5) is arranged to extend over the outer end (14) of the support (4) and touch the bait (20), while a second end portion (9) of the setting-tongue (5) is arranged to touch a stop in the holder (2). The trap (1) can be arranged in the said second position (12) or a setting-position by the fact that the element (3) is brought to take a bent position in the holder (2) and by that tightened and for the trap (1) releaseable position, whereby simultaneously the setting-tongue (5) is brought to touch the bait (20) and the said stop in the holder (2). During consumption of the bait (20), the setting-tongue (5) change position and when the setting-tongue has reached a predestinated position, the trap (1) release by the fact that the element (3) is strived to return to its said first position.

The present invention relates to a trap, which preferably is meant forsmall animals doing harm, such as mice, and comprises a support for baitand a framework, a base, a frame or similar, which is arranged to beable to hold a setting element of a material able to be tightened or anelastic material, and further a trigger, which is connected with thesaid element and in the trap arranged at a distance from thebait-support. The trap is arranged to be able to take a first, resting,position and at least a second, tightened, position.

There is a need of a new trap, which is simpler to handle and set, canbe cleared of a trapped animal in an easier way and reduces oreliminates the risk of infections at the same time as the trap will bekind to animals by the fact that killing can be done rapidly orimmediately, i.e. without any risk that the animal will suffer. Besides,a trap should be able to be produced in a simple way and at a low cost.

Known traps of the kind in question are often difficult to handle andset for everybody and have generally unsatisfactory function, especiallyin reutilization as the trap is deformed when used, whereby it can bealmost impossible to set and loses the capacity to kill the animalresulting in unnecessarily suffering. Furthermore, the traps are oftenunpleasant to clear as they deform and often also puncture the animal.These inconveniences together with the fact that the traps are notweather-resistant and neither can be cleaned in a satisfactory way makethem unsuitable as trap means for vermin nevertheless as regards therisk of infections. Thus, it has been shown that, for example, mice whohave consumed poison does not have been killed in a trap but succeededin escaping from the trap as well and have moved to watercourses orwells before they have died, whereby risks of poisoning have arised forother animals and for people. Such traps consist of the common hit trapswith a base plate of wood and a releaseable tightening bow. Such a trapneeds to be cleaned with carefulness after use, which, however, is noteasy to carry out. It has been proposed to replace the base plate ofwood in these traps with a base plate of plastic material but thehandling and the function of the traps have not been materiallysimplified and improved respectively, as well as neither the hygienicconditions.

A trap in accordance with the invention fulfils, however, therequirements made while, at the same time, the disadvantages of saidknown traps are eliminated. Thus, the trap is simple to handle and toset, to clear as well as the trapped animal will not be deformed or inanother way be destroyed when trapped. Besides, the killing is totallybloodless. The fact is that the trap is shaped with regard to theanatomy of the vermin in question by that the trap and a setting elementare shaped and dimensioned in such a way that the animal immediately ishit unconscious when the trap is released simultaneously as thevertebral column is broken at or after atlas, which leads to an assuredand immediate killing of the animal. It has also been shown that thetrap when it releases present a shock effect for the animal, whotherefore never grasp the situation. As the killing is clean and theanimal will not be deformed when it is killed, the trap is easy toexamine and empty and the person examining the trap does not need tosuffer of unpleasant sight and be plastered with dirt notwithstandingthe fact that it concerns a mechanical working trap. As the trapcertainly kill the animal and in a clean way and without deformation,the risks to spread infections and poisoning are also eliminated.Furthermore, the trap is easy to clean and is also possible tosterilize, if it is necessary. Besides, the trap is simple tomanufacture and with a minimum of manual handling and assemblage, can beshaped of few parts or can consists of only two parts and therefore, thetrap can be produced at a low cost, especially in larger seriesproduction. The trap is shaped of such materials that it hardly is wornout or is almost indestructible and weather-resistant so the trap can bereutilized without deteriorated function. Further, the trap has lowweight and is stackable for keeping a stock and for transporation. Thetrap is kind to animals also in connection with other animals, who cancome into contact with the trap and is safe for children and when onegets jammed in unsuccessful handling of the trap. A trap in accordancewith the invention is thus characterized in that the trigger of the trapis arranged in the trap's first or resting position to be able to bemoved in the direction of the bait-support to take the trap's second orsetting position, whereby the trigger is arranged, with at least an endportion, to be able to rest on a bait or to overlap or reach beyond anouter end of the bait-support in the said second position of the trap.The setting element is arranged to be able to be kept in a tightenedposition in the said second position of the trap or in setting the trapand when the trap releases be able to be brought out of the tightenedposition.

According to an embodiment of the trap in accordance with the inventionthe trigger is put in a pressed or a preloaded position in the trap inthe said first position of the trap.

In an another embodiment of the trap in accordance with the invention,the said setting element is essentially shaped as a plate-shaped elementor a shield and that the trigger is shaped in one piece with the saidelement and arranged to reach in an angle to the element, whereby inattachment of the element with the trigger in the trap or its frame thetrigger is arranged to lie against a guiding or a holder-on device inthe trap in such a way that the trigger takes a small angle to the saidelement and become by that to be arranged in a pressed position in thetrap.

According to still another embodiment of the trap in accordance with theinvention, the trigger keeps the trap in the said second position orsetting position by resting with one end portion against the bait andwith the other end portion or a shaped contact surface against a stop inthe frame of the trap, whereby the said element is arranged in atighened position in the trap and will remove the element out of thetightened position when the bait is consumed or after certainconsumption of the bait.

In an additional embodiment of the trap in accordance with the inventionthe trap is shaped in such a way that the bait-support must be providedwith a bait, if the trap shall be able to take the said second position.

Further characteristics of, and advantages with the trap in accordancewith the invention will in the following description of the trap beapparent by embodiment examples, whereby a simultaneous reference willbe made to the accompanying schematic drawings, of which FIG. 1 showsfrom below a holder in form of a base in a trap according to oneembodiment, FIG. 2 shows the trap according to section II--II in FIG. 1,FIG. 3 shows from below a holder in form of a base in a trap accordingto a second embodiment, FIG. 4 shows the trap in FIG. 3 according tosection IV--IV, FIG. 5 shows the trap in FIG. 3 according to sectionV--V, FIG. 6 shows from below a setting element in a trap according toan exemplified embodiment, FIGS. 7 and 7a show from one side the settingelement in FIG. 6, FIG. 8 shows from one side and in section a trap,i.e. with the setting element put into the holder and in a first,resting position, FIGS. 9 and 10 show from above and from belowrespectively a trap according to an additional embodiment, FIG. 11 showsfrom one side and in section a trap in accordance with the invention,which has been taken a second, setting position, FIG. 12 shows from thesame side and in section the trap during setting, i.e. in a positionbetween the said first, resting position and the said second position orsetting position. FIG. 13 shows again from the same side and in sectionthe trap according to FIGS. 11 and 12, and FIG. 14 shows from one sideand in section a part of a trap at withdrawal from the said secondposition, i.e. in a position to be released.

Reference designation 1 in FIG. 8 shows a trap in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention and in FIGS. 9 and 10 it is also shown atrap in accordance with the invention according to an embodiment of somedifference. A trap 1 in accordance with the invention can be shaped ofessentially two parts, namely a holder 2 in form of a frame, framework,base or similar and a setting element 3, shield or similar or as it isappears from the embodiment examples of two parts. The holder 2 is meantfor and arranged to form a holding device for the said element 3 in thetrap 1 and hold the element 3, which besides to form a setting elementalso forms a killing device in the trap. The trap 1 is arranged to beable to take a first, resting position 11 and at least a second,tightening position 12, see FIG. 11, showing a trap 1 according to stillanother embodiment.

Besides the said element 3, which will be kept by a holding device,which according to the embodiment examples consists of the said holder2, the trap 1 comprises a support 4 for bait and a trigger 5.

In FIGS. 1-5 is shown a holder 2 according to two embodiment examplesand showing a bait-support 4 for a bait 20, a guiding or holder-ondevice 6 for a trigger 5, a bar 8 and a slot 10 or opening between theguiding or holder-on device 6 and the bar 8. The bait-support 4 can beshaped as a forked prong with outer end portions 14, each shaped with apoint to facilitate baiting and which are located at a distance from oneanother in such a way that a space 16 or an opening exists in thebait-support 4, through which the trigger 5 can pass when the trap 1releases. In the holder 2 according to the embodiment example in FIGS.3-5 there is also existing a holder-on element 18, which is arranged asa holder-on or additional support for certain kinds of baits 20 or baitswith more soft consistency, as soft cheese, and forms a basis for thebait 20 in the gap 16 so that the bait will not be forced through thebait-support 4.

The holder 2 shows a lower part 32 or edge, which is meant to rest on afoundation when the trap 1 is used, whereby the foundation can consistof a floor, ground, newspaper, a plate-shaped element, for example apiece of a cardboard or wood, etc. From the lower part 32 a frame-shapedpart or a border 22 or the like extends to a shaped top piece 24 or on alevel with the underside of the top piece. However, the top piece 24does not cover the entire upper part of the holder 2 but leave at leastan opening 36, through which the element 3 or a part of the element 3can be brought to take the said second position 12 or a settingposition. The bait-support 4 can be arranged to extend from the toppiece 24, in which the said bar 8 can be shaped. The guiding orholder-on device 6 is arranged to extend between two opposite portionsof the border 22. The holder-on element 18 can be arranged to extendfrom a front part 34 of the trap 1 or the holder 2 and be shaped as awing or flange, which is arranged with and starts from a front part ofthe border 22 and a front part of the top piece 24 and extending on oneside or that side of the bait-support 4, which is meant to be turnedtowards the said foundation and further in an outer portion of thebait-support 4 below the bait-support and the said gap 16 so that adistance is obtained between the bait-support 4 or its outer endportions 14 and the holder-on element 18. Thus, the holder-on element 18extends from the front part 34 of the holder 2 and from the underside ofthe bait-support 4 in the direction of and below the gap 16 in thebait-support 4 and further to a vertical plane in the holder 2 for theouter end portions 14 of the bait-support 4 or approximately to the saidplane and from there again extends in the direction of the front part 34of the holder 2 and by a radius connect with the bait-support 4 at orbehind the inner end portions of the protruding prong portions. Theholder-on element 18 can show a thickness of one or two mm, for exampleabout 1,5 mm.

The border 22 is preferably shaped with such a height that there is roomfor the bait-support 4 and in applicable cases the holder-on element 18between the lower part 32 and the top piece 24 of the holder 2, wherebythe parts i.a. are protected within outer limiting surfaces or edges ofthe holder 2.

The holder 2 can show an ear 28, for example in form of a protruding lipwith a suspension device or attachment device 30, for example in form ofa hole, which lip protrudes from the front part 34 or the border 22 ofthe trap 1 or holder 2, whereby the suspension or attachment device i.a.can be utilized for suspension of the trap 1 on a peg when exhibitingthe trap for sale, in stock-keeping or keeping, when the trap 1 isfastened on a foundation in its use, etc. In one or the other end of theholder 2 is shaped a recess 26 in the holder 2 so that the element 3 canbe reached when the trap 1 is handled in setting of the trap.

Besides the said element 3 and trigger 5 so are preferably the remainingand above mentioned parts and means shaped in one piece with the holder2, which can be shaped of a relatively stiff plastic material.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 are shown an embodiment example of a setting element 3with a trigger 5 in the form of a setting tongue. The element 3 isshaped substantially as a relatively thin, plate-shaped element ofmetal, preferably of a stainless material to get quality and weatherresistance. The thin metal sheet gets in bending elastic properties. Thetrigger 5 can be shaped by punching the metal sheet and the referencedesignations 21 show punchings through the metal sheet to form thetrigger 5, whereby it appears from the figures that the trigger 5 iskept at the element 3 in a couple of connections 23 in form of materialsections in the element 3 where punching through the element is lacking.The trigger 5 is formed by bending and outwardly flexure of the punchedtongue, whereby the trigger show in one end 7 a free end with a shapedfirst contact surface 27, which shall lie against and can form a planefacing the bait 20 when the trap 1 is set, and a second end 9, which viaa bent portion 13 and a second contact surface 17 meant to bear againstthe holder 2 or its bar 8 in setting, passes into a connecting portion19 to connect with the element 3. The said second contact surface 17 canin the connecting portion 19 be limited by a folding line 25 and in thedirection of the said second end 9 of the trigger 5 by a projection 31,for example in form of a wart, boss, upset or similar or a ridge orback, which passes the bent portion 13 and in the direction of the firstmentioned end 7 of the trigger 5, see FIG. 7. The projection 31 is shownin FIG. 6 as an inward bent 31' or the like, as the element 3 is shownfrom the underside. In the connecting portion 19 can be arranged twoadditional folding lines 25' in connection with the connections 23. Thetrigger 5 is bent along additional lines 25" and 25'" in order toarrange the first mentioned end 7 of the trigger 5 as a bent downwardsand the first contact surface 27 on a lower level than the extending ofthe trigger 5 itself or a part 15 of the trigger 5. In one end of theelement 3, it is arranged a recess 33 or an opening as an attachmentpart with the holder 2 or its bait-support 4. A portion of the other endof the element 3 will in the trap 1 be in the said recess 26 in theholder 2 and forms a press spot 35 or a press surface on the element 3.

Straight across the element 3 in the said second end of the element, theelement 3 is bent in a folding line 29. The angle a between the twodivided planes of the element 3 and divided by the folding lines 29forms a sliding angle. The sliding angle a and the height h of theprojection 31 co-operates and settle the moment of setting of the trap1, see FIG. 7a. The height h on the projection 31 in relation to thesliding angle a co-operates for the release of the trap 1.

The element 3 can be provided with still a couple of bendings, as it isshown by the folding lines 29', which according to an embodiment exampleextends divergent from principally the recess 33 or opening and betweenthe recess 33 and the side edges of the element 3 in the area of thepreviously mentioned folding line 29. The bendings, which arerepresented by the folding lines 29', can form stiffenings in theelement 3, which can be necessary if the trigger 5 is made longer and/orwhen using material of lower quality. Because of the punching 21 forcutting the trigger 5 in the element 3, the element will have adelicater elasticity which, thus can make the bendings necessary butwill also involve that they are arranged to extend divergent. The sideedges of the element 3 will, by the existence of the bendings, be angleddownwards in the trap 1 in some extent and in the area for the bendingswhich can make the killing of the vermin more efficiently.

In the said FIGS. 8-10 is shown an element 3 which is arranged in aholder 2 to form a trap 1. In this case the element 3 is arranged withits attachment portion 33 on the bait-suport 4 of the holder 2 and isbrought to extend through the said opening 10 of the holder 2 and withthe trigger 5 resting on one side or an upper side of the guiding andholder-on device 6, whereby the first mentioned free end 7 of thetrigger 5 will pass beyond the guiding or holder-on device 6 in itsextension, i.e. the folding line 25" will rest on or at a distance fromthe upper edge of the guiding or holder-on device 6, which is turned inthe direction of the bait-support 4. The trigger 5 will, by thearrangement of the element 3 in the holder 2, be elastically pressed andrest with spring-force against the guiding and holder-on device 6, as itappears from, for example, FIGS. 8 and 10. In addition and by means ofthe projection 31 in form of a ridge or the like, the trigger 5 lieagainst the top piece 24 of the holder 2 and in connection with therecess 26 in the holder 2 and with a part in front of the said bentportion 13 of the trigger 5, whereby the bent portion 13 and theprojection 31 extend in the said recess 26 in the holder 2. When thetrap 1 is provided with a holder-on element 18, which connects with thebait-support 4, as shown by the trap 1 according to the embodiment inFIG. 11, the attachment portion 33 of the element 3 is shaped as shownin FIG. 6, i.e. with an opening in form of a recess for the sake of thefact that the element 3 shall be able to be attached and catch thebait-support 4 which, thus also forms a holder or an attachment part forthe element 3 according to the embodiment examples shown.

When the element 3 is arranged in the holder 2, the element 3 covers theopening 36 in the holder 2 and by this the element also covers thebait-support 4 and in applicable cases the holder-on element 18 and abait 20, if a bait is arranged to the bait-support 4 a period before thetrap 1 is set or when the trap 1 is arranged in the said second position12 of the trap 1, i.e. by tightening the element 3. Thus, the trap 1 canbe baited before the trap is set, for example at another place than thetrapping place, before that the trap is set out, etc. or even beforedelivery or sales of the trap.

When the trap 1 shall be brought from the first, resting position, as isbefore us according to FIGS. 8-10, to a second, tightening or settingposition, as it appears from, for example, FIG. 11, the element 3 isbrought, preferably by means of a hold of a thumb on the press spot 35on the element, to be bent downwards, as it is evident from FIG. 12, andthen be brought upwards through the opening 10 of the holder 2 with apart of the trigger 5 so that the projection 31 of the trigger 5 will beplaced above the top piece 24 and the stop 8 of the holder 2, afterwhich the element 3 is slacken in some extent so that the projection 31will rest on the stop 8 of the holder 2. At this, the first mentionedand free end 7 of the trigger 5 will lie with the first contact surface27 against a bait 20 placed on the bait-support 4, see FIG. 11, wherebythe trap 1 is set or arranged in the said second position 12 of thetrap 1. The other contact surface 17 of the trigger 5 or the element 3will lie against the stop 8 of the holder 2. At this, the element 3 hasadopted a bent shape or a curve and thus been brought to a tightenedposition and for the trap 1 releasable position.

Thus, the trap 1 is kept in the said second position or the element 3 inthe bent and tightened position by the contact of the first mentionedend 7 of the trigger 5 against the bait 20 and the contact of the secondcontact surface 17 against the stop 8 or the resting or hooking of theprojection 31 against, above or with the stop 8. The height h and thesliding angle a of the projection 31 is a determining factor for thefirmness of the set of the trap 1 until the trap 1 releases by the factthat the bait 20 after a while is reduced by the consumption of the baitof the vermin. To this, the curved free end 7 of the trigger 5 hassignification by the moving distance which, at this is attained. Whenthe trap 1 is set, i.e. when the element 3 is brought from the firstposition of the trap 1 and to the second position 12 of the trap 1, theguiding or holder-on device 6 guides the element 3 and the trigger 5 tothe intended positions by the pressing and the displacement of theelement 3. Besides as a holder-on device for the trigger 5 in the firstposition 11 of the trap 1, the guiding and holder-on device 6 is actingas a holder-on, when the element 3 is brought to the downwards bentposition when the trap is set, as is evident from FIG. 12.

Preferably, a trap 1 in accordance with the invention is shaped in sucha way or the traps 1 according to the embodiment examples are shaped insuch a way, that the trap 1 must be baited to be able to be set, i.e.that the bait-support 4 must be provided with a bait 20 for the reasonthat the trap 1 will be able to take and remain in the said secondposition 12 or that the the said setting element 3 shall be kept in atightened and later on in a releasable position.

The first mentioned end 7 of the trigger 5 will be lowered when the bait20 is removed. The vermin consuming the bait 20 stretch into the trap 1between the bent, tightened element 3 and the edging 22 of the holder 2,i.e. into the opening 36. In order to release the trap 1, the trigger 5or the said part 15 of the trigger 5 shall be lowered and the end partor the first mentioned end 7 of the trigger 5 pass the upper surface ofthe bait-support 4 or through the bait-support 4. By the lowering of thetrigger 5 and the change in position, the projection 31 is not capableof holding the element 3 in the tightened position but slides by thestop 8 and the trap 1 releases by the fact that the element 3immediately strives to return to its position of origin, i.e. to thesaid first, resting position 11. According to one embodiment of the trap1 in accordance with the invention, the trap 1 shall release at thelatest when the trigger 5 or its said end part 7 has passed thebait-support 4 or as it appears from FIG. 14. Before the said first end7 or first contact surface 27 of the trigger 5 has passed through thebait-support 4 or the upper surface of the bait-support 4, the trap 1must remain set in a stable way, which can be secured by adjustment orcorrection of the trap and a simple test, which can be carried out byeveryone. Such a test can consist of the fact that a set trap is allowedto fall with its bottom edge 34 hitting a plane, solid basis, as atable, and from a height of 100-150 mm, whereby the trap shall not bereleased. However, the trap should or shall release in a fall from aheight of 250 mm.

When the trap 1 releases the vermin will be exposed to a shock makingthe vermin unconscious of the serious situation for the animalsimultaneously as the element 3 will hit the animal unconscious and itsvertebral column will be broken in or adjacent to atlas, which makes animmediate killing which, besides in unbloody. The trap 1 can be shapedin such a way that it kills by the fact that the vertebral column of theanimal is broken in or near to atlas, which can be done by dimensioningof the trap 1, as to take into consideration the distance between thebait 20 or the bait-support 4 and the border 22 of the holder 2 alongthe side edges of the holder, and further that the element 3 shows awidth, which substantially corresponds with the width of the holder 2.Each vermin irrespective of species and age has a certain length ordistance from atlas and to the mouth and therefore, the animal will haveatlas in the area for the border 22 of the trap 1 or just inside theborder or in the area for the side edge of the element 3. The killedvermin is kept in the trap 1 between the upper edge of the holder 2 orits border 22 and the element 3.

By the fact that the vermin is killed immediately when a trap 1 inaccordance with the invention releases, there exists no risk for thatthe vermin shall move the trap in an attempt to escape the danger. Inorder to prevent that other animals catch the trapped animal and by thatremove the trap or that the trap when it is set out is moved by, forexample, wind, the trap 1 can be anchored in the foundation by means ofan anchoring device, which is arranged to the ear 28 of the trap 1, forexample an anchoring device in form of a string, a so-called bag-rivet,if the trap is arranged in a newspaper, a nail and by that maybe for amore permanent placing of the trap.

In order to prevent that other animals, for example small birdsaccidently will come in contact with the trap with the risk that thetrap releases, the trap 1 can be placed under a newspaper or the firstpage of a newspaper. The vermin will still find the bait 20 and by thatthe trap 1. In this case the newspaper can be used as a wrapping whenthe trap 1 is examined and as a package for the killed vermin.

Without exceeding the scope of the concept of the invention,modifications of the trap in accordance with the invention should bepossible. Thus, the trap can be arranged to release earlier than whathas been shown and described in connection with the embodiment examplesand be shaped with more parts or of more parts than what have beenevident by the embodiment examples. The holder and by that also thesetting element can be shaped with another configuration. For example,the bait-holder can be shaped as a sleeve, in which bait is arranged andby that with a shaping making the bait difficult of access for thevermin. The sleeve is arranged turnable on a shaft or similar in theholder, for example the previous bait-support is shaped as a holder oran axle for the sleeve, which shows a heel or the like, in which anopening or a groove exists, as a gap for the possibility of the triggerto pass the heel. When setting, the trap can be held upside down,whereby the sleeve turns in a setting position and one does not need tohandle or hold the sleeve during setting. In this case, the trigger isbrought to rest on the heel next to the groove. The sleeve will turn onthe shaft by the intense work of the sleeve by the vermin in order toreach the bait and the trigger will land right in front of the grooveand can pass the upper surface of the heel and the trap releases. Thesleeve can be arranged detachable in the holder. The sleeve or anotherbody can consists of a plastic material which smells and tempt thevermin in the same way as an ordinary bait, whereby the trap does noteven need to be baited for use. The opening in the holder between theguiding and holder-on device and the bar can be wider, for example bydisplacement of the guiding and holder-on device some in the directionof the front part of the trap or holder. The bar can instead for beingan end edge of the top piece be shaped as a separate means or, forexample, as a catching device, a lip or by giving the edge anothershaping, etc. The first mentioned end of the trigger can be arranged ina smaller angle with the extension of the trigger so that the firstcontact surface of the trigger will be angled against the bait and bythat, if necessary, move the bait in the direction of the bait-support.Namely, it should be possible that the trigger, which rests on the baitwith elastic force, with its said, free end presses the bait from thebait-support, when the bait is eaten. Further, the trigger can, as said,be shaped longer or in such a way that it will be located closer to thebait-support in the said first, resting position of the trap and maybeeven reaches or almost reaches the bait-support or its outer end. Theattachment portion can instead of a recess consists of an opening, whenthe holder or the trigger lacks a holder-on device, for example as itappears from the embodiment according to FIG. 10. The trap is thus notrestricted to what has been shown in the embodiment examples shown anddescribed but soley by the claims hereinafter.

I claim:
 1. A trap for small vermin such as mice, comprising a support(4) for bait, holder means (2) for holding a setting element (3) of anelastic material and a trigger (5), which is connected with the saidsetting element (3) and arranged in the trap (1) at a distance from thebait-support (4), whereby the trap (1) is able to take a first, restingposition and a second, tightened position, the trigger (5) being able,when the trap is in said first position, to be moved in the directiontowards the bait-support (4) to enable the trap to take its secondposition, whereby the trigger (5) is arranged with an end (7) which isable to overlap an outer end (14) of the bait-support (4) in the saidsecond position of the trap, and in that the said element (3) is able tobe kept in a tightened position in the said second position (12) of thetrap, wherein said end (7) of the trigger (5) is shaped to lie againstthe bait (20) in the said second position (12) of the trap and whereinthe other end (9) of the trigger (5) passes via a bent portion (13) intoa connecting portion (19) having a contact surface (17) arranged to bearagainst holder (2) in the said second position (12) of the trap.
 2. Atrap in accordance with claim 1, in which the said contact surface (17)has a projection (31) arranged to rest against said holder means (2),when the trap is in the said second position (12).